Fresh Organic Market in Downtown Clayton

I am a self proclaimed amateur Chef and Foodie at heart. So I was pleasantly surprised to know that we have a little local farmer’s market in the heart of downtown Clayton every Saturday morning.  Called Simply Homegrown,  it is a famers’ market that has all-locally grown produce and value-added goods from all around Rabun County. It is located in front of Butlers II gallery on Main St. Clayton and is open from 9 – Noon, May 14, 2011 – November 1, 2011.

Some of the Vendors at Simply Homegrown Market

In July, 2007, Simply Homegrown was named one of America’s Top 10 Farmer’s Markets by the readers of Eating Well, the magazine where Good Taste Meets Good Health. With that type of endorsement, you would think the entire street was covered with vendors!! However, that is not the case.

Don’t bring a shopping cart because there are usually only 15 to 20 vendors. Even so, the small size of the market is compensated by the quality of the products. Since there are so few vendors, the vendors are compelled to put out the best possible produce and product. Plus, you maybe surprised by some of the new things that you see. I heard of my first Spineless Okra plant from this market. I am guessing this is the same as a normal Okra but is just bred to be a coward.  I dunno.

Also, I bought my first Pattypan Squash at Lady Bug Farms from a farmer named Terri. You can see her in picture below. (She is the one in the middle – duh)

Terri of Lady Bug Farms and some fellow farmers

You should visit their site to see an example of the love and dedication that all the farmers put into their product. That love translates when you speak with the farmers about their produce. For example, Terri even shared a way to cook the Squash.

Here is an excerpt from The Ladybug Farms blog. The recipe (Terri don’t take it personal, but I tweaked the recipe trying to get rid of some leftovers – it really worked!)

“Pattypan Squash with Tomatoes:  The famous Billy, Chef/Owner of Cakes & Ale restaurant loves the white pattypans from Ladybug Farms.  He cubes the squash, slices the tomatoes (romas would be the best tomato for this dish) and cooks them together on the stove. Maybe throw in some basil for an extra zing.  Enjoy!  ”         – Ladybug Farms Blog 

•  I added a little garlic, lemon juice to brighten it even more and some fresh roasted corn. I just scorched the corn over hot coals and slice it off the cob. It added a smoky flavor to the freshness of the veggies. Also, be careful with the garlic. Too much could overwhelm the dish. Don’t forget fresh ground black pepper and sea salt!

Here short list of some of the produce and goods: Fresh Cut Flowers, Smoked finishing Salts and Rubs, heirloom and open-pollinated varieties of fruits and vegetables like – mild, hot & sweet peppers, beans, kohlrabi, butternut squash, yellow squash, zucchini, okra, ground cherries , Handcrafted sourdough breads, fresh, cage free brown eggs, Goat Milk, Soaps and creams, Local honey, fresh herbs, Tomato plants, Okra plants, and so much more.

A little tip: Get there early, the by the end of the market, many vendors are out of their best products. So beat the heat to get the good eat!

Take our Poll

Trout Fishing on GML’s Doorstep

I have just recently started to get back into fishing. After all, the cabin is located in one of the best areas for brown and rainbow trout fishing.   I get a booklet published by Georgia Department of Natural Resources from the local Chamber of Commerce in Clayton.  We usually have it posted on our bulletin board in the entryway of the house.

Since our guests are constantly asking about the fishing in the area, I thought I would pressure test the booklet to see how accurate it is.  So I set out to hit some of the closer streams that it identifies.  The neat thing about the booklet is that out of the top 8 streams in the area, 5 of them are off of our main road Warwoman!!!

Rabun Trout Streams

An earlier blog I tested Sarah’s Creek with little success. So I set out for one of the more popular destinations: Overflow Creek.   There are three options for fishing on the way to this fishing destination. That way if they weren’t biting, I could quickly try the others.

The booklet said that the dirt road leading to Overflow was accessible by car.  I agree to some extent. However, there were several locations in which there was considerable washout in the roads and a higher clearance SUV made me feel a lot safer. Also, there were about 4 locations that puddle would cover the entire road. All were easy to go through but the second one was deep enough that I knew if I stopped in it, I would have trouble getting out.  Don’t worry, just maintain your momentum going through it and you will be fine.

The brochure’s mileage directions are close but not exact.  The road was supposed to be 6  miles to the first turn on 86 – B. It was almost seven miles in truth. Also, it said after the run Overflow would be 3 miles. It was 3.5 miles.  You can’t miss it because the road is closed at this point. Just park and the fishing is just 50 yards away. The trail is quite steep but there were plenty of foot and hand holds and I made it down pretty easily. Nikki took it slower because she was in flip flops but she still made it down alright.

Here fishy fishy fishy!

We arrived round 2 oclock so I knew the bites were going to few and far between, however the scenery made the fishing a second priority. The brochure failed to tell me of the beautiful waterfall at the mouth of the creek.

Overflow Creek Falls?

After only getting a lot of little fish interest and one good bite, I went back up the trail and tried a path across the road.  I found the creek much more fishable. In other words, I had a lot more options to place the line. Unfortunately the dogs, Zoe and Woof (Yellow Lab and Blue Heeler) decide to help me fish.   However, surprisingly fish don’t like dogs splashing around! I was shocked. Seriously, I saw some trout jumping and I would bet at the right time and without hunting dogs, this would be a great place to drop a line. Nikki was taking a nap in the car, so I decided to go through the tunnel the went under the road and fed the top of the water fall.  This also seemed a prime fishing area. With no luck, I decided to drive back towards the cabin.  On the way there we stopped and had a sandwich at a pretty little camping area where the road crossed a bridge. On the way back,  I thought I would stop on the bridge and take a look at the steam below. Sometimes, you can spot some trout because of how clear the water was. My hypothesis confirmed, I saw a TON!!  It was 4:45 and it was getting into prime time fishing so I convinced Nikki that I had to stop for just few casts. “When you see 20 fish from the banks a “few casts” is like eating potato chips. You always want just one more! I tested so many lures that I am not sure what really would have worked but a spinner bait that looked like a Whooly Bugger proved to the be winner. I caught 2 rainbows and missed about two more. Just as they were starting to hit, Nikki started to call me in from the car….Note to self – next time you decide to fish, leave non fisherman at home. Dogs and people alike.

Zoe The Fish Distractor!

Gotta an hour for Lunch? Go see a Waterfall!

I always get renters asking me two things about the area. One, is where are some great waterfalls and Two, where can I fish.  Well, I thought I should tackle these requests on the blog in a two posts. The first is about some of the closest waterfalls to the lodge.

If you love waterfalls, then North Georgia is simply the best place to search for them.  May of which are just minutes away from Grizzly Mountain Lodge.  I want to share with you two of the closest and accessible then leave you with a great resource for finding others.

My “go to” waterfall for guests is Dicks Creek Falls on the Chattooga River. It is close and the drive is very scenic. However the best is that the walk into the falls is very easy, beautiful, and short.

Dick's Creek Falls on the Chattooga River

Dick’s Creek Falls plunges 60 ft into the Chattooga River below. It is at a bend in the river that has sandy shores and a great view of kayakers exploring the river.

Directions to the falls are very easy. Just go down Saddle Gap Rd from the cabin. At Warwoman Rd, take a right and go about 4 miles to Sandy Ford Rd.  If you have taken the trash to the dump already then you will recognize the area immediately. It is almost across the street from the trash facility. Take a right and follow the dirt road (fine for any car) for another 4 miles to the the trail head. When you get to the creek (Dicks Creek), dont cross – on your left is a place to park.  Follow the path for less than half a mile through fern covered trails and a gentle creek until you see signs for the Bartram Trail. Go straight across the footbridge and follow the sounds of the crashing water. Bring a picnic to really enjoy the area!

GPSers – N34 52.21′ W 83 15.18′ Elevation 1542 ft

Then next falls is the closest and the easiest to get to. It is only a quarter mile away from the cabin and is in a little picnic area.  It has a gorgeous little waterfall, that is alway cool no matter what time of year you visit.

Warwoman Dell was once the camp for the Civilian Conservation Corp in the 1930’s and also another crossing point for the Bartam Trail.

Warwoman Dell Recreation Area little falls

It has a trail that was one part of a never finished rail road and a really pretty set of cascading stairs that is one of the best picture taking spots. The upper part of the park has a little waterfall that quaint but quite striking.

Here is another place to bring a picnic and enjoy the scenery.  There are usually wild flowers every where.  Also this place has a tendency to collect some stray trash. Do us all a favor and help us keep this area clean.  It is such a shame about how people dont seem to have respect for the beautiful things around us.

Directions are far to easy from the cabin. Just go down Saddle Gap Rd until you hit Warwoman Rd. Take a right. In just a few yards the road will start to wind right and left. Keep you eyes peeled for the entrance to the recreation area on the right.

Woof and me on the top of cascading rock stairs

It can sneak up on you. Next post, I will be writing about some the best trout streams in the area. We have many choose from and are stock regularly. I will try and put you on the best.

Til next time, Enjoy your stay in North Georgia and we hope that you will choose Grizzly Mountain Lodge for your next visit.

GPSers: N34 52.94′

W 83 20.91

More waterfall exploring – go to http://www.jjanthony.com/waterfalls/

Georgia’s own version of Germantown

Perfect stop for Wine-Lovers...Free Tastings & Gift Shop

Helen, GA is known as THE place to be for Octoberfest due to it’s German heritage, but it’s not all Hefeweizen and schnitzel…Helen is a great place for family fun. With it’s homemade fudge shops, funnel-cakes and gift shops galore there is something for the whole gang to enjoy. My favorite was the free wine tasting @ Habersham Winery (http://www.habershamwinery.com) and you can’t beat the area if you like people-watching! There is nothing quite like it…

Beautiful scenery & outdoor activities keep the area hopping with tourists. “Tubing” is one of the more popular attractions & there are many companies to choose from (http://www.coolrivertubing.com/).

Bring Sunscreen

If you’re a car-nut, my brother tells me his VW club meets regularly in Helen & attends the Wörthersee Tour (http://southernworthersee.com). Celebrating German cars in a town that resembles their European home.

Great place for VW lovers to meet

It’s worth the scenic 45min day trip from Clayton to find what you like most about this quaint village!